Planning for the future, or handling matters after a loved one passes, are some of the most meaningful and challenging responsibilities families face. At Sergovic Carmean McCartney & Owens, P.A., estate planning and estate administration are core areas of our practice. We work with individuals, families, executors, trustees, and beneficiaries throughout Delaware, providing steady guidance, legal clarity, and practical solutions at every stage.
Our goal is simple: to help clients make confident decisions, protect what matters most, and navigate complex legal processes with as little uncertainty as possible.
Every person’s situation is different, and a strong estate plan should reflect your unique goals, values, and circumstances. Our attorneys take the time to understand what matters most to you, then develop a personalized plan designed to protect your assets, provide guidance for your loved ones, and ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.
Our estate planning services include:
Wills
Wills establish how your property will be distributed, name guardians for minor children, and ensure your wishes are legally protected under Delaware law.
Trusts
Trusts provide flexible ways to manage assets during your lifetime and after, reduce taxes, avoid probate, and offer long-term protections for beneficiaries.
Powers of Attorney
Powers of attorney allow you to designate a trusted person to handle financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to manage them yourself.
Living Wills and Advance Healthcare Directives
These documents clearly state your medical preferences in advance so loved ones and healthcare providers are never left guessing during critical moments.
With a deep understanding of Delaware estate law and decades of experience serving Sussex County and the surrounding communities, our team develops plans that minimize uncertainty, reduce the potential for conflict, and give families clarity when it matters most.
Handling the affairs of a loved one after they pass is never simple. Beyond the emotional weight, families are often faced with complex legal and financial responsibilities that require care, precision, and steady guidance.
We assist individuals, families, executors, and personal representatives through every stage of estate and probate administration. In Delaware, probate involves validating a will, identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries. Our attorneys help open estates, manage court filings, resolve disputes, and finalize distributions, working closely with those responsible for administering the estate to keep matters moving forward.
Trust Administration
While trusts often avoid probate, they still require careful administration. Trustees must follow the terms of the trust, manage assets responsibly, communicate with beneficiaries, and comply with state and federal requirements.
We provide comprehensive guidance to trustees, helping them understand their duties and carry them out confidently. Whether a trust is simple or complex, newly created or long-standing, our firm supports trustees in making sound decisions, resolving questions, and protecting both the trust assets and the beneficiaries’ interests.
Clarity in a Complex Process
Estate and trust administration can involve a wide range of legal issues, including asset transfers, tax considerations, real estate matters, title questions, creditor claims, and disagreements among beneficiaries. With years of experience in Delaware’s probate court system and a practical understanding of Sussex County and the surrounding area, our attorneys bring both legal precision and problem-solving to every estate.
We help clients:
Interpret wills, trusts, and estate planning documents
Navigate court procedures and deadlines
Identify, value, and distribute estate assets
Resolve disputes or ambiguities within the estate
Address tax filings and final financial responsibilities
Administer trusts according to their specific terms
Estate planning and administration are deeply local. Each county in Delaware has its own processes, expectations, and administrative nuances. Our attorneys have extensive experience working with local courts, registers of wills, and financial institutions throughout the state.
That familiarity allows us to anticipate challenges, streamline procedures, and provide guidance that is both realistic and reassuring.
Training, mentorship, continuing education, and ethical responsibility are core to our mission. Our attorneys are actively involved in professional organizations including the Delaware Bar Association, Sussex County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Terry-Carey American Inn of Court, Sussex County Women’s Council of Realtors, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Southern Delaware Estate Planning Council. Several of our attorneys are also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.
At Sergovic Carmean McCartney & Owens, P.A., estate planning and administration are about more than documents and procedures—they are about preparing for the future, honoring intentions, and supporting families through important transitions with care and confidence.
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